Tag: History

Fascinating Stories of Eldon Street

Dr Tegwen Roberts will give an illustrated presentation on the ‘Fascinating Stories of Eldon Street, unearthed in the High Street Heritage Action Zone, on Thursday 10 October in the Council Chamber of Barnsley Town Hall at 6.30pm. Open to everyone. No charge but donations welcome.

The recently completed Eldon Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) has worked with the local community to uncover and celebrate the stories and often overlooked heritage of one of Barnsley’s most important historic high streets.

The restoration of the historic fabric of Eldon Street has also been part of the HAZ; it has worked with local businesses and property owners to fund conservation repairs to key historic buildings on the west side of Eldon Street.

This event is open to all whether or not you are a Member but will follow a short AGM for the Civic Trust.

The Eldon Street Heritage Action Zone was a four year joint project between Barnsley Council and Historic England, completed in 2024. Dr Tegwen Roberts was the Eldon Street HSHAZ Project Leader. Barnsley Civic Trust contributed to aspects of the Eldon Street Heritage Action Zone.  Barnsley Civic Trust talks are arranged in partnership with the Barnsley Archives and Local Studies..

Historic Buildings in Barnsley Town Centre: Friday 13th September Tour

Barnsley Civic Trust had a guided walk around Barnsley Town Centre on Friday 13th September. It told the history of the Town through some of the historic and architecturally interesting buildings which can be seen today.

Barnsley Civic Trust tour of town centre outside the former Ann Porter and Sons Department Store

The tour included a visit to the historic Miners Hall in Barnsley …

Barnsley Civic Trust folk on the way to the NUM building and Miners Hall

Once there, Paul Darlow introduced us to the many historic NUM colliery banners on display and showed us many artefacts from mining history.


The tour was open to members but some non-members came along too. If there is the demand, there will be more tours to come.
Email contact@barnsleycivictrust.org.uk to express your interest.

Barnsley Civic Trust is also willing to conduct tours of the historic sites and buildings in Barnsley town centre for groups of around 10-20 people.
Just get in touch.

Blue Plaque: Hungarian refugees welcomed in Barnsley in 1956

In 1956 and 1957, Barnsley welcomed 200 Hungarian refugees following the crushed Hungarian revolution; they found work in the coal industry. We are commemorating this with a blue plaque.

The Hungarian Consul General Dr L Risko-Nagy will unveil the blue plaque at the Miners Hall in Victoria Road on Wednesday 23rd October at 2.00pm.

Dr Andrew Zsigmond, one of the refugees, will give a short presentation. The Mayor of Barnsley and the Area Chairman of the NUM, Chris Skidmore, will welcome our guests.

Open to everyone to attend, any of the original 1956 refugees or their descendants will be particularly welcome to come to the event.

 

A Lifetime in Cinema: a talk by Rob Younger of the Parkway Cinema

‘A Lifetime in Cinema; from Barnsley to Malta and back’, a talk by Rob Younger, proprietor of the Parkway Cinema.

Rob’s talk includes the story of the Parkway Cinema and its site on Eldon Street.

The site has been occupied by cinemas, theatres and other entertainment usage for over 150 years. This has been commemorated by a Blue Plaque.

George Orwell’s stay in Barnsley: Blue Plaque and Talk

One of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century, George Orwell stayed in Barnsley in 1936. He wanted to see for himself the living conditions of working class people for his book ‘The Road To Wigan Pier’. He stayed at a house in Agnes Terrace, still there today. A Blue Plaque commemorating George Orwell’s stay in Barnsley was unveiled on Friday 26 April.

The main event to mark the occasion was a talk by Edana Guest about George Orwell’s time in Barnsley, his experiences and what he found out. It was in the Miners’ Hall, Victoria Road, next door to the NUM building.

Edana has written an article about George Orwell’s stay in Barnsley in the excellent ‘Memories of Barnsley’.

The unveiling of the Blue Plaque then took place as a small event in Day Street at the end of Agnes Terrace.

Edana Guest, Quintin Kopp, Linda Burgess and Milly Johnson at the unveiling.

This event was held in partnership with Barnsley Archives & Local Studies. We are pleased that the Chair of the Orwell Society, Quentin Kopp, was present and made some interesting comments. Richard Blair, George Orwell’s son and Patron of the Society was unfortunately not able to be there. 

Our thanks to Edana Guest for all she has done to arrange this event.

The Rise and Fall of the Linen Industry in Barnsley’, the 2024 Bramah Lecture, given by Bill Gaunt.

Linen Weavers Cottages

Linen industry weavers’ cottages. Thanks to the Tasker Trust for the image.

In the period either side of 1800, Barnsley was the leading linen producer in England. This is the fascinating story of the linen industry in Barnsley and will cover the physical and cultural heritage of that bygone prosperity.

The 2024 Bramah Lecture is on Monday 8th April in the Learning Lab at Barnsley Town Hall, starting at 6.30pm. Use Barnsley Town Hall’s ‘Experience Barnsley’ entrance from Barnsley Pals Centenary Square. All welcome.

On this occasion there is a limit on numbers able to get in the room, so it’s essential to let us know if you intend to come. We can’t let people in beyond the capacity of the room!
Email allenparks22@hotmail.com to reserve a place.

The Bramah Lecture is an annual lecture commemorating the inventor, Joseph Bramah; it has taken place in Barnsley since 1999, sponsored by Barnsley Council. Barnsley Archives and Local Studies, Barnsley Civic Trust and South Yorkshire Industrial History Society are jointly organising this year’s lecture.